Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

Brown cow

‘How now brown cow’ was the mantra for today’s walk. They’ve moved the cows back onto the fields round the back of my close. Normally I have no issue walking through them. But this was the first time Bert had come across so many. And a rather large bull. So we used it as a training session instead.

I walked Bert up to the cows and away. He barked a few times, so kept it all low key. The cows weren’t the least bit bothered by him. He was very interested in them. I think he thouhght they were big dogs. Though some of the calves were tiny.

The cows soon got bored and moved away after a while. Bert sat patiently and watched them go.

I love the fact I live so close to these cows. It reminds me of listening to the cows lowing at night when I was a kid. I grew up near a cattle market so it was a weekly sound. Such a soothing sound…

Terminator

We’re back home after another epic training camp. Epic in so many ways. Bert’s first camp and to be honest, he totally aced it! He waited patiently while I went for my lessons. He made himself comfortable in the Buddymobile. He slept through every night. He had zoomies in the forest and played nicely with the other dogs.

Every time I left him, I told him ‘I’ll be back’. I’m no Arnie, but it did make me giggle. Just call me Terminator.

Buddy aced camp too. Six lessons, massive lightbulbs and huge leaps forward in our training. He feels stronger, straighter and much more rideable since his injury.

The only ‘downside’ was the heat! Talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous. Last year, I didn’t take enough layers. It chucked it down and was freezing. This year, it was like someone had left the oven on…

Very draining for us all. We coped with a heady mix of fluids and electrolytes. I am very tired now. We shall all sleep well tonight.

40 winks

Someone is very tired after another full on day at camp. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that both of my kids are very tired. I am too. The sudden heat is rather sapping. Still we’ve all had another good day.

In our flat work lesson this morning, I felt so much straighter in my body after yesterday’s treatment and taping. It’s really puts you in the right position that’s for sure. I noticed a change in Buddy too. He had to work differently to adjust for my new posture. I could really feel the difference. He was much straighter too.

The battery seemed to drain though and he felt like he was getting a little stiff. After last year and his injury, I was a bit concerned. He worked really hard yesterday and I foolishly forgot to give him his electrolytes. That wouldn’t help.

I walked him off in the forest and he felt good. So he got a lunch with lots of electrolytes in it to see if that would help.

He popped on the weight bridge after our lesson. I had 630kg in my head. He was 631kg! And a perfect body score. The nutritionist said he had really good muscle tone too. We got a rosette for being perfect! What a lovely touch.

After taking Bert in the forest for a run. And some lunch for me. It was time for our second lesson – jumping related distances. We built on the quality of canter lesson we had yesterday. I’d mentally prepared myself to stop if Buddy wasn’t feeling it. Well he was well up for it! My new position massively helped as did my softer hands (another learning from yesterday). So happy with him!

I know Buddy is a seasoned pro at camps. Bert has taken to it like a duck to water.

Last day tomorrow. Always bittersweet.

Two kids

Well I’ve made it to our first training camp of 2025. Hurrah! This is the first time I’ve been away with two kids, Buddy and Bert. My god, they need a lot!

The Buddymobile felt a bit cramped with it all. I also needed three lists! And I still forgot the poo bags and toilet roll. It’s much better now Buddy is tucked up in his stable and Bert is tucked up in his crate in the horse area.

I’m tucked up in the living. As much as I love the Buddymobile, it’s definitely time for a bigger lorry! Bert’s arrival means I need more living. Well that’s my excuse! I want a toilet and a fridge too.

So far both kids are behaving very well. Coming to Forest Edge is such a happy place for me. I know Buddy loves it here. And it seems Bert might too after zoomies in the forest. Buddy, on the other hand, had a leisurely walk before the lessons start tomorrow. Bring on the learning…

Resurrection

Well it wasn’t just Christ who was resurrected today. My show jumping ‘career’ with Buddy was too. For the first time since December 2023, we entered a show jumping competition.

It wasn’t pretty. We are VERY rusty (bit of an understatement). Given he had the majority of last year off games, I’m over the moon!

I kept it low by entering the 60cm & 70cm. It wasn’t the triumphant return it could have been. I went with low expectations. I just wanted to see how Buddy reacted.

Sure we had two poles in each round. Sure I couldn’t see a stride for toffee. Sure I rode like a muppet. But we did it and that’s what counts. I know my eye will come in the more we jump. I also know I’ve been a bit lack in our training.

My Baby Sprocker has been winning in those stakes. That is paying off. He came to his first competition. He even jumped a little fence. He got LOTS of fuss. He slept in the lorry while I took Buddy off to compete. Afterwards, he got to watch some of the action. It was all rather exciting to start off with, he soon settled though.

All in all a very good outing…

Dog-tired

Oh dear, I think we broke Bert. Puppy College was very tiring. It was his first session and Bert loved it though. When we got home, he crashed on the sofa.

He did rally enough to come and help me clear up the aftermath of the new fences. But soon crashed again during the rugby. And is snoring now. He’s clearly dog-tired.

Bo bo

Bert had an imaginary ‘bo bo’ at Puppy Pre-School tonight. I could say that he was very brave having the bandage put on, but honestly, I’m not sure he even noticed. He was far more interested in the liver paste on the table.

It was all a bit too exciting for him tonight. He got rather overstimulated and needed a time out. There were 3 new puppies tonight. All tiny and terrified compared to him. He’s such a confident chap.

He had quite the day as he had another visitor. This one brought treats! It seems I have a very food-oriented dog to go with my very food-oriented horse. Not a bad thing at all when it comes to training. Just need to get over the excitement of food. For both of them….

Cans

While my Dad was having a nap, I cracked on with some work. As he was still asleep when I finished, I thought I’d catch up with some online training. I didn’t want to wake him, so borrowed my Mum’s headphones. Or cans as we’ve always called them.

Not sure it my best look. Made me giggle. So did the fact I’d matched the wall in my parents dining room.

Forest dwellers

Well it’s been a long time come. Buddy and I are back at Forest Edge for the last training camp of 2024.

I set it as a stretch goal for his rehab. A lovely synchronicity in that it was at the first training camp in April that his injury was really noticed.

We’re doing one lesson per day rather than two. And I will be keeping an eye on him. In fact I’m pretty sure there will be lots of eyes on him. So many people have been on this journey with us. There are lots of Buddy fans here too.

He’s tucked up in his stable. I’m tucked up in my lorry. I bet he doesn’t have a leak though. I’m currently experiencing Chinese water torture with a drip behind my head. Another job for the list…

I will be OK. It can’t take the smile off my face right now. We’ve made it to camp. Big tick for us both.

I know I’ve been to a few without him. But it really is wonderful to have him here…